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Blackhawks start slow but storm back to beat Hurricanes

Before the Blackhawks took off on their mini two-game road trip last week, Alex DeBrincat said he wanted to do more to help his team's struggling offense.

Well, the 19-year-old rookie picked the perfect time to do just that, scoring a pair of goals and dishing out the primary assist in overtime during the Blackhawks' 4-3 come-from-behind victory at Carolina on Saturday.

Brandon Saad scored the game-winner 1:44 into overtime, taking a pass from DeBrincat and firing a shot that went through Scott Darling's legs. It was Saad's first goal in 11 games and the first time the Hawks scored four times in a game since beating Arizona 4-2 on Oct. 21.

DeBrincat now has 5 goals, which is tied for second on the team with Patrick Kane, Artem Anisimov and Richard Panik.

“It's good timing for me,” DeBrincat said. “I know we definitely needed that win.”

Said coach Joel Quenneville: “He's got some great patience and play-recognition. Nice seeing the finish. We've been snakebitten offensively across the board. I think it was contagious for a number of games.

“Now, hopefully, there's a spark for us. We should all be a little bit more comfortable with the puck.”

The Hawks (8-7-2) were outplayed early on, falling behind 2-0 while allowing a whopping 12 shots on goal in the first nine minutes.

DeBrincat gave the Hawks life when he scored 7:34 into the second period just after a Hawks power play expired. DeBrincat used his speed to fly past a defender and tapped in a perfect cross-ice pass from Jonathan Toews.

Carolina went up 3-1 just 2.5 minutes later, but DeBrincat potted his second goal 3:16 into the third after Patrick Kane found him in the center of the ice, about 25 feet away from Darling. DeBrincat ripped a shot that flew over Darling's left shoulder to make it 3-2.

“He made a nice shot,” Kane said. “I've seen it in practice, and even in games now he's in those areas. He can find ways to put the puck in the back of his net with his quick release. He had a big night tonight and I'm sure that will give him some confidence going forward.”

Gustav Forsling tied it at 3-3 with 8:31 remaining when his shot from just inside the blue line somehow found a way through a maze of bodies in front of Darling.

Richard Panik assisted on the Hawks' first and third goals for his 100th and 101st points of his career.

Anton Forsberg made 35 saves and won his first game in a Blackhawks uniform.

“I thought he responded really well to the way the game was going,” Quenneville said. “(He) made some key saves in that third period. I like the response.”

Darling, facing his former team for the first time, stopped 26 shots for the Hurricanes (6-5-4).

The Hawks have a chance to build on this momentum when they host New Jersey on Sunday.

“To see our group battle back like that shows a lot of character,” Saad said. “It helps us head in the right direction.”

Said Quenneville: “Obviously coming back from down two (goals), it was a huge, huge win for us.”

Scouting report

Blackhawks vs. New Jersey Devils, 6 p.m. Sunday

TV: NBCSCH

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: New Jersey got off to a 9-2-0 start but has gone just 1-2-2 in its last five games. That victory, though, came Saturday against Florida. ... Brian Gibbons (7), Taylor Hall (5), Jesper Bratt (5) and Drew Stafford (5) are the Devils' leading goal-scorers. ... The Blackhawks will start Corey Crawford in net, while New Jersey will likely go with backup Keith Kinkaid. Kinkaid is 26-28-9 and has a 2.70 goals-against average in 74 career games (60 starts). ... The Hawks won both of their games last year against the Devils in overtime. ... Patrick Kane hasn't scored for seven straight games.

Next: New York Rangers, 7 p.m. Wednesday

— John Dietz

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